Sustainability at the U.S. EPA (15 Sept 2011) A new report from the National Research Council presents a framework for incorporating sustainability into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s principles and decision making. The framework, which was requested by EPA, is intended to help the agency better assess the social, environmental, and economic impacts of various options as it makes decisions.The report is available for free as a pdf from the National Academies Press.

Hidden Costs of Energy (Fri, 29 Jan 2010)We depend heavily on energy for a variety of modern goods and services. Yet the provision and use of that energy comes with many costs to society that are not reflected in the market price. In 2005 alone, the hidden costs of energy amounted to about $120 billion dollars in damages to human health and the environment. This podcast discusses where the key external costs that are associated with the production, distribution, and use of energy come from.

Revolutionizing Science: Managing Research Data in the Digital Age (Fri, 31 Jul 2009)As digital technologies are expanding the power and reach of research, they are also raising complex issues. These include complications in ensuring the validity of research data; standards that do not keep pace with the high rate of innovation; restrictions on data sharing that reduce the ability of researchers to verify results and build on previous research; and huge increases in the amount of data being generated, creating severe challenges in preserving that data for long-term

China and India: Emerging Technological Powers (Fri, 22 Aug 2008)China and India, both with populations of over 1 billion, are drawing increasing attention from the United States. Their growing populations and interaction with the world presents both opportunities and challenges.

The Dirt on Soil(Thu, 17 Jul 2008)Soil has a bad reputation as just dirt, but in actuality it is a veritable wild kingdom where you can find more life concentrated in the three inches below the surface than anywhere in the world above the soil. In week's podcast, we explore the importance of soil.

Innovation in Global Industry(Fri, 23 May 2008)The debate over offshoring of production, transfer of technological capabilities, and potential loss of U.S. competitiveness is a long-running one. Prevailing thinking is that the world is flat that is, innovative capacity is spreading uniformly; as new centers of manufacturing emerge, research and development and new product development follow. Innovation in Global Industries challenges this thinking. This podcast is centered around an interview with Jeffrey T. Macher, one of the editors of this book. Read the report online free.

Is America Falling off the Flat Earth? (Fri, 16 May 2008 15:07:22 -0400)A couple of weeks ago, the National Academies hosted a national convocation to take stock of what has happened since the fall of 2005, when the Academies released its report on the future of American economic competitiveness. This podcast summarizes that meeting and what it means to America's future.

Scientists Without Borders: The International Visitors Office(Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:59:45 -0400)In this podcast we are introduced to the International Visitors Office of the National Academies - a special office designed to help foreign Scientists and Students navigate the sometimes difficult visa process to come to the United States.

On Being a Scientist(Fri, 21 Dec 2007)On Being a Scientist is one of the most popular reports published by the National Academies. Now in it's second edition and written for beginning researchers, it's subtitled "Responsible Conduct in Research" and seeks to describe the ethical foundations of the scientific practices. As the final podcast of 2007, this topic seemed to touch everyone involved in or concerned with the scientific enterprise. Read the report online free.

Science and Security in a Post 9-11 World(Fri, 30 Nov 2007)The tragedy of September 11, 2001, the subsequent anthrax attacks, and ongoing terror threats internationally have markedly changed national and international security and information sharing. While, the success of U.S. science and engineering has been built on a system of information sharing and open communication, not only among U.S. institutions, but also with the international science and technology communities. This podcast explores how these two important endeavors must be balanced for the future of our country. Read the report online free.

Lost Crops of Africa Volume II: Vegetables(Fri, 1 Jun 2007 13:54:57 -0400)This report is the second in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The podcast describes the characteristics of several little-known indigenous African vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers and in the world at large. Read the report online free.

Beyond Bias and Barriers(Fri, 13 Apr 2007)Beyond Bias and Barriers explains that eliminating gender bias in academia requires immediate overarching reform, including decisive action by university administrators, professional societies, federal funding agencies and foundations, government agencies, and Congress. If implemented and coordinated across public, private, and government sectors, the recommended actions will help to improve workplace environments for all employees while strengthening the foundations of America's competitiveness. Read the report online free.

Partnership in Science (April 16, 2009)Dr. William Colglazier, Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences, speaks on WTOP (Federal News Radio) about cooperation on S&T issues between the U.S. and China.